Kyoto station & Kyoto Tower

After arriving at Osaka KIX airport, you can travel by train to the futuristic Kyoto Station, which has the feeling of a set for 2001: A Space Odyssey. The top is reached by ascending its Stairway to Heaven escalators. Rent a bicycle to start your visit from one of the numerous rental stations available around the huge Isetan building or next to Kyoto Tower. Bicycling around town is the best way to enjoy every little traditional streets and get to discover hidden treasures that are usually not on tourist maps. Lovely wooden traditional shops, houses and tea shops were a reminiscence of scenes out of the Memoirs of a Geisha novel. Don’t forget to pick a free copy of Explorer Kyoto, a useful map and guide of the best each city (Osaka & Kyoto) has to offer.

Another alternative, if you fly in through Osaka International airport, is the very convenient MK shuttle offering inexpensive door-to-door service, greeting you at the arrivals at KIX Osaka airport. The reasonably priced (¥ 3,600/person) shared shuttle van brings you to your final destination in Kyoto in approximately an hour and half. Price includes one suitcase up to a meter size. Reservations are necessary at least 48 hours in advance. http://www.mktaxi-japan.com Tel. +81(0)75-778-5489